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A 28-year-old man has died after being overcome by hydrogren sulfide gas at a wellsite near Whitecourt on Jan. 11.

Sinopec Daylight Energy Ltd. confirmed there was a fatality at one of its sites about 24 kilometres southwest of Whitecourt.

Barrie Harrison, an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) spokesperson, said the incident happened at about 9 a.m. The man was working for Rezone Well Servicing Ltd. at the Sinopec Daylight Energy well.

"A crew was servicing a well when one of the crew workers was overcome by hydrogen sulfide gas," said Harrison.

Harrison said he did not have any information on where the man was from.

According to a press release from Sinopec Daylight Energy, the worker was taken to hospital in Whitecourt where he later died.

"Sinopec Daylight has expressed that their thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim," said the press release.

The company is cooperating fully with OHS, it also stated.

Harrison said an investigation is underway.

"Occupational Health and Safety is on site and an investigation is underway. We have issued a stop-work order that will remain in place as long as it needs to," said Harrison.